#36 Freedom in Creation: art is a bridge
We have met Andrew Briggs to ask him some questions about Freedom in Creation.
Andrew, why this project?
It came out of my understanding of the reciprocal blessing of service, global education, and cross cultural conversation and an articulation of the need for humanitarian efforts to be characterized by a spirit of solidarity as opposed to pity that advocacy can carry the legitimate voice of the underprivileged.
Now, where do you live most time of the year?
I live on the road most of the year. Normally, I'm in the U.S. 55%, Europe 5%, and Uganda 40% of the year. This year I've been abroad more. My travels are defined by Freedom in Creation relationships that involve academic collaborations with our Global Village Education programs, art exhibitions of the Ugandan children's work ("The Story of Freedom") Fundraising activities, and speaking engagements. Recently, I served as a guest lecturer on the Semester at Sea program (accredited academically through the University of Virginia) and had the opportunity to travel in across the Atlantic via ship after contributing to academic communities in Dominica, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa. Thereafter I flew to Uganda for a few months, headed to Spain for a few weeks (exhibits and academic collaborations in Barcelona, Seville, and Madrid), and flew right to the University of Alabama for a dance competition to benefit Freedom in Creation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws5Yq_z92YE
Here is a link to a video depicting a collaboration with undergrad students from Semester at Sea, elementary school kids in South Africa, and eventually with our kids in Uganda. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SE2McOKZDM
Here is a video that features recent program development and some of the banners created in Ghana with Semester at Sea. http://vimeo.com/25865563
Why your focus is on Art and Creativity? Why you follow this way to help children?
Art is a remarkable medium for healing as it is inherently affirming to individuals and enables self-understanding and therefore identity in a way that is gradual, process-based, and often less intimidating than words. Where oral tradition abounds it is a particularly valuable alternative to normative verbal counseling. In Ugandan and many other African cultures, where communal thinking and counseling is normative, often the child's perspective is overshadowed by the community perspective. Further, patriarchy and eldership supersedes the voice of the child. Art transcends culture, gender, and social political structures and provides a bridge of equal footing. For this reason the most tormented people gravitate towards art. It is a radical and unparalleled voice.
The realm of art is a realm of community. In one's piece he or she is able to see him/herself in a new light. The acknowledgment of an artist and art is the acknowledgment of that which is to be interpreted as meaning. Art comes in a context of community. It invites others to value the perspective of the artist and converse about meaning. It is therefore inherently related to introspection and human dignity. For this reason the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has an express provision for the cultural and artistic wellbeing of a community (27th Article).
What's the meaning of Art as a Theraphy, Art as an Education, Art as a Bridge?
Our kid in Uganda are traumatized. Some have been soldiers. All have been displaced from their homes and felt the widespread affects of having family members abducted, murdered, high HIV rates, depression and alcoholism, and water born disease. Further, a displacement-handout mentality has been paralyzing. They need affirmation, inspiration, and positive stimulation that will help them make a healthy transition to adulthood with the tools they need to sustain themselves. Art is a profound vehicle for these imperatives.
I know art can be a bridge to Freedom for these kids. I've seen it. Yesterday I received this photo and note from our country director. It exemplifies they way in which art and our program is a source of freedom to dream, to hope, and begin to make it a reality. The photo that young Alfred has drawn is a map of our Center for Sustainability. It has our well, our two huts, our piggery, some trees, etc. It also includes a platform for a helicopter, cars, etc. It's amazing. This is what the world needs to see of kids so likely to be written off as victims and predestined to mediocrity and less. This is something that can help these kids find healing and their voice, and inspire others while reshaping their paradigm and inviting them into the richness of cross- cultural conversations of solidarity.
"Hullo Gentlemen, I am happy to say that our program manager Samuel is picking up very well and that he has all the enthusiasm towards the job. I guess that by having him and teaching through the different things he should be able to make FIC the organization we dream of. That was a right choice we made for a manager. Yesterday was another good day at the Art centre. The children were drawing their perspectives of FIC in five years. One child draw the farm with a helicopter landing on it. When we asked him to explain why he had a helicopter on the farm, he said in five years from now we should be able to attract dignitaries like the president to the farm because of it fame!!!!!!!!!!!!" - Freedom in Creation Country Director, Peter Odoch
You write that Freedom in Creation is supported by artists of the world. What do they like about your project, and how they support it?
Freedom in Creation has been privileged to work with artists from different countries. They naturally understand the virtue of what we do as it pertains to healing and liberating a seldom heard voice. When artists are afforded the opportunity to learn, lend a hand at an event, donate a piece, etc. generally they are pleased to support us. Here are some beautiful pieces donated by a close friend / supporting artist, Caitlin Beidler.
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